The woman’s eyes widened in shock and then filled with tears as she recognized Eva. “Eva, my sweet girl!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. She knelt down, her arms opening wide as Eva rushed into them, burying her face in the familiar embrace.
Natalie and Adam watched, their own eyes brimming with tears, as Eva clung tightly to her mother, sobbing into her shoulder. Maria gently stroked Eva’s hair, whispering soothing words in Swahili. “Niliyakosa sana, binti yangu,” she murmured.